Veterans (Military Families)

This resolution officially designates April 15, 2026, as "Purple Up! For Military Kids Day" and the entire month of April 2026 as the "Month of the Military Child" within Pennsylvania. The measure aims to honor the over 37,000 children in the state who have at least one parent serving in the military, National Guard, or reserves by encouraging public support and awareness. The primary mechanism is a symbolic declaration that invites residents to wear purple on the specified date to show solidarity with military families. This action does not alter laws or allocate funding but serves to recognize the unique challenges faced by these children and promote community engagement.

This resolution urges Congress to expand TRICARE Reserve Select eligibility to include reserve component service members already enrolled or eligible for the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP). Currently, these reservists may not qualify for TRICARE Reserve Select despite their FEHBP enrollment. The bill proposes a policy change to align their military health coverage options with active-duty counterparts, though it is non-binding and requires congressional action to become law. It directly affects reserve members serving in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, or Coast Guard who are FEHBP participants.

HB 145 amends Pennsylvania's unemployment compensation law to clarify when workers lose eligibility for benefits. It directly affects claimants who voluntarily leave jobs, adding specific protections: workers cannot be disqualified for leaving due to disability if suitable work is available, for joining or staying in a union, or to accompany a military spouse relocating due to active duty orders. The bill defines "suitable employment" as work requiring similar skills and paying at least 80% of a worker's previous average weekly wage. These changes aim to prevent unfair disqualifications while maintaining the law's core purpose of providing benefits to eligible unemployed workers.

SB 870 amends Pennsylvania's military education programs to clarify eligibility and repayment rules for National Guard members and their families. It updates the definition of "approved program of education" to include more training options and refines eligibility criteria, such as requiring six years of service for full-time grants and adding specific rules for members discharged due to service-connected disabilities. The bill also revises recoupment (repayment) procedures, allowing proportional repayment if service obligations aren't met and expanding forgiveness for certain circumstances like medical discharge. These changes directly affect Pennsylvania National Guard members and their families using the Educational Assistance Program and Military Family Education Program. The bill focuses on streamlining program administration without altering benefit amounts or funding.

HB 410 allows certain Pennsylvanians with disabilities, 100% service-connected veterans, and active-duty military members or their dependents living abroad to renew driver's licenses using their most recent photo and signature on file instead of providing new photos. The bill applies to individuals who qualify under existing disability plate rules (Section 1338), have a 100% service-connected disability certification, or are active military personnel or their dependents. Renewal using existing records is prohibited if no current photo/signature exists, if record changes (like name or eye color) are needed, or if the photo is over 16 years old. The law takes effect 33 months after enactment.

HB 1264 allows the Pennsylvania Adjutant General to lease portions of Fort Indiantown Gap to private businesses or nonprofits that meet specific criteria. These businesses must directly benefit military personnel, veterans, their families, and the local community, with all revenue deposited into the new Service Members, Veterans and their Families Fund. The bill establishes clear selection criteria for lessees, prioritizing businesses offering services that support the military community and local residents. It also limits administrative or judicial review of leasing decisions to streamline the process. This bill primarily affects Fort Indiantown Gap personnel, veterans, their families, and local businesses seeking to operate on the installation.

SB 64 creates an official logotype for veteran-owned businesses in Pennsylvania (defined as businesses where veterans own at least 51% of the interest). Businesses can apply to use the logotype through a department process, with a $250 fee and optional contributions to the Military Family Relief Assistance Fund. The fund, established under existing law, will use these fees and contributions to support military families. The bill also imposes penalties for falsely claiming veteran status to use the logotype. It directly affects veteran-owned businesses and funds military family relief programs.